SeaDick’s Best Albums of 2016: Nothing But Thieves — Nothing But Thieves

Why are all the great rock bands from the UK/Ireland? Now don’t go getting yourself into a tizzy over whether or not the good old US of A can compete, but the UK/Ireland clearly has the upper hand. Don’t believe me? Play this game that is a String favorite. Name the best UK/Irish rock band (band, not individual). Right, you have undoubtedly immediately thought of the Beatles, the Stones, the Who, Zeppelin, U2 and Pink Floyd. All great bands. Which is best? Who knows ? (But I do know that Pipes will want to rank them.) Now do it for the US. That’s right, not so easy. I’m sure you came up with the Dead, the Doors, Pearl Jam and you tried to argue that Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band should be included — request denied. The horrible conclusion that we come to is that the greatest American Rock and Roll band is . . . wait for it, . . . Aerosmith. I know, you are outraged, but think about it. Longevity, hits, etc, they win. I’m not particularly happy about it, but its true, so deal. But, as Angry is found of saying, I digress.

A straight up rock and roll act from England (hence the previous digression). The lead singer, Conor Mason, looks 12, but what a set of pipes (not you Pipes). Solid from top to bottom, but I am a particular fan of one where they slow it down a bit — “If I Get High”